Exeter-Milligan Update : English 7-12

History in Perspective

by Rhoda Wahl, English 7-12

Students in Mrs. Wahl’s English classes are studying history through literature. During this semester, each class will be reading a novel that fictionalizes a period of American history. As the story settings and conflicts come to life, the readers learn about America’s rich and varied history.

English 7 students will be heading back to the Old West as they read Shane, by Jack Schaefer.  This story is about the struggle between Wyoming ranchers and farmers in the late 1880’s. While working on comprehension activities related to this time in history, students will also be summarizing what they have learned from their independent study.

American Literature students are reading Jack London’s The Call of the Wild, which is set in the late 1890’s. While reading about a dog’s journey from California to the frozen gold fields of the Klondike, they are also researching related topics of interest. Besides sharing their research with the class, students will also adopt a musher in the 2013 Iditarod sled-dog race.  Following this historic race gives a modern twist to survival in the frozen North.

Dual Credit English is reading The Great Gatsby. This F. Scott Fitzgerald novel focuses on the extravagance of wealthy lifestyles during the 1920’s. They are also publishing a 1920’s era newspaper chronicling historical events, fashion, sports, and other interests of the Jazz Age.

Freshmen English students will be completing research papers on topics related to the 1930’s, while reading To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. This story about racial conflict in the South, also paints a picture of life during the Great Depression.

English 8 students will travel back to the 1950’s while reading The Outsiders, by S. E. Hinton. Besides learning about gang life in a large city, readers will experience life as viewed by a Greaser. This universal struggle between the haves and the have-nots is set in the era of drive-ins, bobby socks, and Elvis.

Pictured (l-r): Eric Olsen, Megan Waldron, Spencer Papik, and Evan True.